Conservation Plans

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Development Plan

From its establishment in 1962, the Trust has grown substantially, year on year, increasing its membership, influence, landholdings and range of conservation programmes. Staff members have also expanded steadily since the appointment of its first part time Administrator was appointed in 1977 and full time Conservation Officer in 1979.

Over the last couple of decades, the Trust’s growth has been guided by a series of development plans. These plans have set out a framework and identified key targets yet at the same time have provided flexibility for unforeseen opportunities to be taken with maximum benefit to the Trust and nature conservation in the county.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is currently producing a development plan for the period 2006 – 2010. The main purpose of this plan will be to set out clearly the Trust’s aims and objectives and to inform our internal work programming.

The Wildlife Trusts’ Conservation Plan

The Wildlife Trusts’ Conservation Plan directs our work, up to the year 2005, to achieve the greatest benefit to wildlife on a local, regional and UK-wide scale. The Plan outlines six major areas threatening our wildlife and ten priority areas of work that we have identified to address them and represents our contribution to the delivery of the Government backed UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP).

Standing up for Wildlife

The Wildlife Trusts fight to stop destruction of important wildlife habitats and campaign for stronger legislation to protect wildlife. A pledge card campaign in 1999 attracted thousands of signatures calling on Government to change outdated wildlife law while Trusts successfully lobbied their MPs for support.

Managing Areas for Wildlife

The Wildlife Trusts collectively manage more than 2,300 nature reserves. New reserves are acquired to enhance the biodiversity value of existing reserves, create green corridors between them, or enhance the enjoyment of people visiting them. In an exciting new development, several Wildlife Trusts are investigating the creation of large areas for wildlife. These could involve linking up existing nature reserves by buying the land in between, or influencing landowners to manage their land in a way that is beneficial to wildlife.

Focal Habitats

The Wildlife Trusts have selected 10 habitats on which to focus attention. They are: bogs, chalk rivers, calcareous grasslands, coastal habitats (including sand dunes, saltmarshes and grazing marshes), fens, hay meadows, heathland (upland and lowland), limestone pavements, shallow marine inlets and seagrass beds and woodlands.

Focal Species

We have selected 31 species on which to focus our conservation effort. For 23 of those we have been given responsibility to lead activity under the UK BAP.

Lead partner species are listed below:

• Southern damselfly Perennial knawel
• Black bog ant A leaf beetle (Crytocephalus exiguus)
• Nail fungus Sandy stilt puffball
• Norfolk flapwort Mire-pill beetle
• A ground beetle (Harpalus froelichi)
• A flea beetle (Psylloides sophiae)
• Dwarf stonewort
• Small cow-wheat

We are acting as joint lead partner on the following species:

• Otter - joint lead with Environment Agency
• Dormouse - joint lead with Natural England
• Marsh warbler - joint lead with RSPB
• Narrow-headed ant - joint lead with Scottish Natural Heritage
• Early gentian - joint lead with Plantlife
• Fen orchid - joint lead with EN/Kew
• Holly-leaved naiad - joint lead with Broads Authority
• Basking shark – joint lead with WWF UK and the Shark Trust
• Sea fan anemone – joint lead with WWF UK
• Pink sea fan – joint lead with WWF UK
  Sunset sup coral – joint lead with WWF UK
• We also focus conservation effort on:
• water vole * red squirrel * harbour porpoise * bittern * song thrush * frog * marsh fritillary * bluebell *

Agriculture

More than three quarters of the UK land surface is farmed; therefore it is vital for the future of our countryside that agricultural practices become more wildlife-friendly. The Wildlife Trusts are campaigning to bring about changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). At a local level, Wildlife Trusts offer advice to farmers and landowners, on how to conserve and enhance wildlife features on their land, and to raise awareness of conservation incentive schemes.

Marine

Better protection for the marine environment is desperately needed. The Wildlife Trusts focus on four key areas: campaigning for a better network of protected marine areas; lobbying Government to ensure less pollution from oil and other toxic substances; lobbying to minimise the risk of damage from extractive industries and influencing the fishing community to enable fish stocks to recover.

Water and Wetlands

Wetland habitats are under threat as demand for water increases, from intensified agricultural practice and building development. The Wildlife Trusts are working with agencies, water companies, local authorities, Internal Drainage Boards, and others, to encourage the conservation and restoration of wetland habitats.

Biodiversity Information

Gathering reliable high quality information is vital for the conservation of the UK’s biodiversity. We are partners in the National Biodiversity Network

(NBN), which aims to establish a co-ordinated network of local record centres collating wildlife information. We are also the key organisation involved in Wildlife Sites systems throughout the UK, Wildlife Sites are areas identified as important for wildlife yet not covered by formal designations.

Biodiversity Planning

The biodiversity planning process represents a new strategic approach to wildlife conservation in the UK. The Wildlife Trusts are key partners in the process through the continued development and implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and local Biodiversity Action Plans.

Making Biodiversity Relevant to People

The Wildlife Trusts engage with people of all ages, in many ways and on many levels. Wildlife Watch, the junior club of The Wildlife Trusts, visitor centres and thousands of planned events and campaigns are organised to raise awareness of wildlife and habitats, specific issues and gain the support of many sectors of the community.

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